He arrived at the club with an injury and then suffered his first relapse when he was just getting closer to being fit. He did not make his debut until after Christmas when he was given the last 32 minutes to build his match fitness.

Since then, a thigh injury has forced him out and manager Pochettino speaking to the press ahead of the game against Burnley admitted the whole episode was unfortunate.

Pochettino told the press: "It's a really difficult situation and he is sad and he can't be happy. But I think this thing sometimes these things can happen.

"He arrived with a problem at Southampton and he couldn't train with us. He recovered and trained and after that. It's really sad because when a player arrives he wants to play.

"We need to wait and see in pre-season."

Trevoh Chalobah and Robert Sanchez who both played in the FA Cup game against Leicester have also picked up fresh injuries and will not be involved this weekend in what has become the story of the season.

Results though have improved lately with the team reaching the semi-final of the FA Cup and being without a defeat at home in the league for close to three months.